Downtown Neighborhood, Washington

Last updated: May 20, 2026

Crime Rate & Statistics

B

Good safety — crime rates are below the national average

Summary: Downtown, Washington Crime Rate (2026)

Downtown in Washington, DC has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime index is 148, which is 48% above the national average.

Data source: FBI UCR & local law enforcement data. Last updated: May 20, 2026.

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime Moderate
Low 148 / 300 High
Violent Crime 115
15% above national avg
Property Crime 132
32% above national avg

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in Washington

Is Downtown Safe?

Yes — this neighborhood has good safety. Downtown in Washington, DC has a safety grade of B. The overall crime index is 148, which is 48% above the national average of 100.

Compared to the Washington average (crime index 105), Downtown is 43% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.

Looking at specific crime types, murder is the most elevated concern (index: 152, 52% above average), while rape is the lowest risk (index: 48).

Highest Risk
Murder · Index 152 (52% above avg)
Lowest Risk
Rape · Index 48 (52% below avg)

Downtown Crime Breakdown

Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Washington city average. Higher values mean more crime.

Crime Type Index vs National Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder
152 +52% High
Assault
149 +49% Moderate
Robbery
110 +10% Moderate
Rape
48 -52% Low
Property Crime
Burglary
115 +15% Moderate
Larceny / Theft
141 +41% Moderate
Vehicle Theft
140 +40% Moderate

How Downtown Compares

Crime index by category: Downtown vs Washington average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Downtown Crime Map

Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.

Full Screen Map
Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

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Downtown Demographics & Context

Population
5,934
Median Income
$113,456
Home Value
$633,616
Median Age
33
Pop. Density
15,782/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 27.8%
Graduate Degree 47.4%

Housing

23%
77%
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 58.6%
Black 14.3%
Hispanic 23.1%
Asian 10.5%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square Index: 152
C+
National Mall / West Potomac Park Index: 107
A
Logan Circle / Shaw / U Street Index: 143
B
Dupont Circle / Connecticut Avenue / K Street Index: 119
A-
Foggy Bottom / West End / GWU Index: 106
A
Adams Morgan Index: 102
A-
Pleasant Plains / LeDroit Park Index: 144
C
Kalorama Index: 88
A
Downtown Crime Map
Interactive crime heatmap for this neighborhood
Washington Crime Statistics
View all Washington neighborhoods & city-wide data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Downtown, Washington?

Downtown in Washington, DC has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime index is 148, which is 48% above the national average. Compared to the Washington average, crime in Downtown is 43% higher.

Is Downtown a safe neighborhood in Washington?

Downtown is generally considered a safe neighborhood in Washington, earning a crime grade of B. The highest concern is Murder (index: 152), while Rape is the lowest risk (index: 48).

How does Downtown compare to the rest of Washington?

Downtown's overall crime index is 148, compared to the Washington average of 105. This means crime in Downtown is 43% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 115, and for property crime it is 132. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.

What type of crime is most common in Downtown?

The most prevalent crime type in Downtown is Murder, with a crime index of 152 (52% above the national average). Overall, property crime is more prevalent than violent crime in this neighborhood, which is consistent with national trends.

What are safer neighborhoods near Downtown?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include National Mall / West Potomac Park, Logan Circle / Shaw / U Street, Dupont Circle / Connecticut Avenue / K Street and Foggy Bottom / West End / GWU. These areas are close to Downtown and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Downtown?

Downtown has a population of approximately 5,934. The median household income is $113,456. The median home value is $633,616. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Downtown crime compare to the national average?

Downtown's overall crime rate is 48% above the national average (index 148 vs 100). For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.

Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated May 2026.